Bible Commentary & Daily Devotional

 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 - Rewards and Crowns           When Jesus returns from heaven (1:10), as He will, and as we stand before Him, what will be our proud reward and crown (2:19)?  Rather, who will it be?           Lord Jesus, please bless our friends and families today.  Help all of Your church to know You more and to please the Father by the way we live.  Mend our hearts together in Christian unity.  Amen.           There is resounding power in a life well lived.  A multiplying life lived to encourage and disciple others with the Good News of reconciliation with God.  God's advancing Kingdom.  We see that in the Thessalonians.  They had hope and assurance of pleasing God as they accepted the word of God as it changed their lives and as God worked in them.  No doom and gloom futurism here - rather, Puritan-like long-term building for the Kingdom of God.           God is working in you today.  He will help you choose to think godly thoughts (watch and read good things and listen

 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 - God’s Advancing Kingdom           God is Good.  He does incredible things through humble people.  That's what he did through the Thessalonians.  And that is how God is advancing His Kingdom today.           I’m reminded this morning that God loves us and that His Kingdom is advancing with or without us.  I believe God wants it to be with us.  Jesus Christ ascended to the throne in heaven.  He is King of kings and He will put all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).  Today King Jesus will further advance His Kingdom.  We must choose this day to put to death the sinful desires lurking inside us.  Choose to believe God will give us more and more grace and peace as we trust him wholeheartedly.           Be reminded this morning that God is Good and that He seeks to teach us.  There is no teacher like Jesus, “The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom” (Isaiah 28:29).  Let’s stop being so stubborn and be

 Colossians  4 - Principles of Christian Life           Well, I’m sad to come to the end of Colossians.  But I know 1 Thessalonians is calling out.  I can’t wait to dig into the “T” section of the New Testament.           It’s a good time of year.  Thanksgiving.  Moving quickly into Christmas.  A time to be thankful, to fellowship, and to focus on the fact that Christ came to earth on a rescue mission.  And that God is building His people - with Providential guidance and wisdom.  A time to think about the new year and to plan.  It’s a time to reflect on the best books we’ve read over the last year and to make some goals for the coming season.  What will we do?  And what will we definitely stop doing!  And a time for great food, and rich fellowship with friends and family.  Let’s dive into this holiday season more resolved than ever to live for Christ.           In these final words of this letter, Paul, from prison mind you, set out a message of encouragement.  There is no regret in hi

 Colossians 3 - Christian Resolve           It is human nature to think we are the favorite.  Or that God has favorites for that matter.  We’re not.  He doesn't.  In the Old Testament, over and over again God explains that He has no favorites.  He judges men and women by the character of their faith shown in their actions.           For example, in Isaiah 22:14 we read this, “The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has revealed this to me: ‘Till the day you die, you will never be forgiven for this sin.’ That is the judgment of the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”  God is talking in that section of Scripture about proud, boastful, and unrepentant Jerusalem.  The people of Jerusalem knew very well what God called them to do (weep and mourn) but instead, they chose to party and ignore God.           We see similar issues in the Church over the years and certainly today.  An army paints a cross on their shield and then is convinced that the hand of God is on them.  A church thinks it is invinci

 Colossians 3 - Thanksgiving           It’s amazing what takes our time.  Especially our mind time.  Each human being has desires - things they think about in this life on earth.  We look for angles, hacks, and secrets of success.  We want to understand the way to do it like the greatest of all time.  Moms want to hear how other moms are approaching parenting from the moms who seem to have it all together.  Students want As.  Often we want the hack that gets us the easiest way possible.             Some senior citizens even are focused on odd things.  I’ve met Christians in their 80s who are pining, daily, to win the lottery.  I kid you not - isn’t life expectancy in America something like 76?           But that’s not what we hear about the new life in Christ in this passage.  Whether you are a 25-year-old thinking of ways to launch your career, or a 60-year-old young grandma thinking of ways to help your daughter look after the grandkids, the Bible makes clear who we are in Christ, wh

 Colossians 3 - Connected           It’s interesting.  As we get to the 50-something or 60-something stage of life we take on the role of parent mentor and son or daughter mentor at the same time.  That is, we are caring and praying for our elderly parents and praying and caring for our kids as they embark on their careers and face the challenges of life including the challenges of parenthood.  Keep on.  Keep on fighting, praying, and caring.  God wants us to ask for what our kids need.  And what our parents need.  Thank you, God, for our families.  And thank You most of all for the Family of God.           Speaking to my male friends for just a moment, young and old.  Remember, as Christian men we seek to be servant leaders as Jesus instructs.  We are not about cults of personality or power or anything of this world.  Instead, as Paul warned Titus, live a blameless life.  That means praying like crazy for your wife and kids.  Never be angry, quick-tempered, or rude.  Or greedy.  Drink

 Colossians 2 - Protect the Flock - Remove the Wolves           This chapter is about freedom.  Good.  I know it’s one of your favorite topics.  But freedom is only from Jesus Christ.  It is Christ who will set you free from the spiritual powers of this world (2:20).  We all need that freedom, desperately.  I pray we take this point seriously - for it has the power to change our lives, our churches, and our communities - and to save our souls.           Many of our church organizations know what they have to do, but they refuse to honor God’s word.  They talk a good game about the inerrrancy of Scripture but they thumb their noses at God with their actions.           I heard this year of a church elder, a so-called leader in the church, who had abused young women.  For decades.  When finally confronted with the truth by the women of the family, the abuser did not repent in shame.  Instead, he lashed out at all of the family and the church.  Tragic.  Horrific.           But more tragic

 Colossians 1:23-29 - Stand Firm           This whole book is amazing, but this chapter nails the purpose statement for us as believers in Christ.  Our purpose is to produce godly fruit.  That is, we have a responsibility to present people to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ (1:28).  It’s a tall task, yet it is baked into everything we do.  We can only succeed in our mission by what Christ does through us.           Encourage a believer in Christ today.  There is incredible power in the unity that comes from your encouragement.           So what’s this life like for God’s people, His church?  Well, it is good.  And joyful.  With joy, we drink deeply from the fountain of salvation (Isaiah 12:3).             Kingdoms rise and fall.  Politicians and professional preachers come and go.  But you will know Christians by their love and the fruit of their labour.           At best we get a glimpse into the future.  Yet we know God’s character.  We know God is good.  And generous. 

 Colossians 1:21-23 - Good News and Responsibility           Good morning!  Excited to be back in Virginia after a week in Canada.           So, this is the Good News.  Anyone can be reconciled to God (1:21).  Today’s enemies of God can be tomorrow’s servants of Christ.  A Hells Angel, a mobster, even a Saskatchewan farm kid like me.  Any person can be transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of his dear son (1:12).           God, who holds all creation together, who existed before anything else, loves us.           He rescued us, transferring us from the kingdom of darkness to His Kingdom.  The dear Son purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  Jesus Christ is an infinite magnitude more powerful and authoritative than anything or anyone.  Our evil thoughts and actions - yes, you know what they were - separated us from God.  But by the Cross of Christ God has reconciled you (and me) to Himself through Christ’s death.           You and I are now in God’s presence.  We

 Colossians 1:1-14  - Stay Focused           If you are anything like me, you have a bit of a rebellious streak.  I wanted to be in the Air Force when I was a teenager, but honestly, I’m thankful I didn’t go into the armed forces as I don’t think I would have handled the authority system well.  As I get older I'm more and more drawn to shared leadership, congregational churches, and checks and balances on power.  I love the American system as the Founders baked in wise checks on human nature.  Thank God!  And may those checks and balances continue to work well.            O ur human nature, our rebellious streak, is a problem.  We see the picture in the first chapter of Isaiah of a rebellious Judah - God’s people who refused to acknowledge God.  God said that even a stubborn ox or donkey recognizes its master (Isaiah 1:3).  Yet Judah refused to recognize God.  How about you?  Do you recognize God as your master?  People throw around the word “Lord,” but does it mean anything?  Do w